World Keratoconus Day 2017

World Keratoconus Day 2017

World Keratoconus Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of this disease and this year falls on November 10th. Keratoconus is a progressive but non-inflammatory corneal disease. Keratoconus is caused by the weakening of collagen fibers that will usually keep the shape like a corneal dome. With this disease the weakened cornea begins to thin out, change shape and bulge out. This bulging and thinning causes the cornea to form a conical shape that can profoundly affect vision.
The early signs of keratoconus often change in the recipe. In addition, many patients experience visual impairment such as glare, halos and double vision caused by changes in the shape of the cornea. Overtime patients with keratoconus see their vision begin to become distorted and opaque, and since this is a progressive disease, these visual symptoms become worse. Many patients with keratoconus tend to be very close to high levels of astigmatism. Initially glasses and contact lenses can help with visual changes but as more glasses and contact lenses disappear, the effect will be very helpful. Opticians tend to refer patients to an ophthalmologist if these signs begin to occur and worsen, the ophthalmologist will then diagnose the condition and design a treatment plan. World Keratoconus Day 2017

Keratoconus can occur for various reasons, but the cause is still unknown. This disease can occur in the family and may develop from an early age, for this reason it is recommended that the eyes of the child be checked by an ophthalmologist if the disease goes in the family. It can also develop in later ages because; Chronic eye rubbing or laser eye surgery (called ectasia) for example. There are also several other medical conditions where the patient may be more likely to develop keratoconus such as; retinitis pigmentosa, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Down syndrome. World Keratoconus Day 2017

Treatment for keratoconus varies due to the severity of the disease. As mentioned above goggles or soft contact lenses are initially recommended to aid visual changes, but as the progression of the disease moves to hardcore specialist contact lenses or other it may be better to get better vision. This type of contact lenses should be fitted properly and having follow-up to monitor vision and corneal status is very important. If the glasses and various types of contact lenses do not work, and as the disease progresses, a procedure called crosslinking of the corneal collagen may be recommended by a cornea doctor. This procedure, which is now recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), helps slow or stop disease progression. It works by using ultraviolet light and riboflavin (vitamin B2), to help build and straighten weak collagen fibers by creating more crosslinks between the corneal fibers, making them stronger and more jagged. Crosslinking of corneal collagen can be performed in children and adults alike and quickly becomes an ophthalmologist of keratoconus treatment options because of its safety and efficacy. Other options for treating keratoconus may also include corneal ring implants, which help support the corneal nature of the cornea, and phototherapeutic keratoplasty (PTK) may also be suggested. If the disease is too advanced and severe, the above treatment may not be helpful, and the only option for patients to undergo corneal transplantation, this may be a partial or full thickness transplant and only used as a last resort if other treatments. can not help. World Keratoconus Day 2017

Keratoconus is a serious eye disease and can be dazzling if not monitored and treated properly. There is currently no cure for this disease and the only treatment to help slow or stop keratoconus is the cross-linked collagen of the cornea. It is recommended that patients, adults and children, with keratoconus or suspected keratoconus attend their follow-up meetings and keep following the advice of their ophthalmologist or glasses.